Frequently Asked Program Questions

Q: How many residents are in each class?
A: We offer 6 categorical positions each year in a four-year categorical program.

Q: What are qualifications does the program look for in residency applicants?
A: Invitation to an interview will be offered for applicants who have strong academic performance and demonstrate leadership skills and professionalism.

Q: Do I need to take USMLE step 2?
A: A USMLE Step 2 score is not required prior to applying to SJMC residency program. However, having Step 2 score will strengthen your application. Completion of USMLE step 3 is required before beginning the CA-1 year.

Q: What is the minimum USMLE Step 1 score that I need to be considered?
A: There is no minimum score because we look at each application as a whole. We consider medical school performance, board exam scores, and extracurricular activities. All of the applications are reviewed personally by the Program Director.

Q: What are the requirements for DO applicants?
A: Doctors of osteopathic medicine candidates are encouraged to take the USMLE. However, individuals that provide only COMLEX scores are considered.

Q: Is there medical school graduation cut off year?
A: No.

Q: Do you require any research experience?
A: No, however, it’s preferred.

Q: Are Foreign Medical Graduates accepted in your residency? What types of visas are sponsored?
A: We consider all applicants to our program. We accept J-1 visa, but we do not sponsor visa's.

Q: Are positions available outside the match?
A: Yes, for the qualified candidates.

Q: Do you offer high-fidelity patient simulation (HPS) during training?
A: We have a dedicated Simulation Center, which is used throughout the residency for initial Orientation, Boot Camp Training, practice crisis management scenarios, and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) preparation.

Q: Is free parking provided?
A: Yes. Parking is included at all clinical sites free of charge. 

Q: Are there moonlighting opportunities?
A: No.

Q: What is a typical workday like for an anesthesiology resident?
A: Typical day during general operating room rotation starts around 06:30 AM with setting up the operating room and performing preoperative evaluation and obtaining informed consent of the first patient. At 7:15 AM the OR technician will take the patient to the OR. The staff will give you a 15- minute break in the morning, a 30-minute break for lunch and a 15 minutes afternoon break. All residents will be relieved from clinical duties at approximately 16:30 PM if not on call.

Q: What do you do to prepare residents for board certification?
A: Our curriculum provides an intense preparation for board certification by offering the following educational opportunities:

• Introductory lecture series: This lecture series is dedicated to helping new residents learn the basics of anesthesiology. These lectures run for the first 4 weeks of CA-1 year.
  
  
• In Training exam preparation: Our resident lecture series, Problem-Based Learning Discussions, ABA keyword topics review, and practice questions synergistically prepare our residents for ITE.
  
  
• ABA basic exam preparation: Our CA-1 lectures are based entirely on the ABA basic examination content outline. In addition, we have a comprehensive ABA keyword topics review and practice questions prior to the exam.
  
  
• ABA advanced exam preparation: Our CA-2 and CA-3 lectures are Problem-Based Learning Discussions and based entirely on the ABA advanced examination content outline.
  
  
• Oral board exam preparation: Our residents participate in semiannual mock oral examinations, which simulate the actual examination.
  
  
• OSCE exam preparation: we provide practice sessions to prepare residents for the OSCE component of the applied ABA certification staged exams.

Q: What is the role of CRNAs in the department?
A: CRNAs are a very important component of the anesthesiology care team model. In this residency program, you will have the opportunity to work alongside our CRNAs and better understand your future role as leader of the anesthesiology care team.

Q: What is your faculty to resident ratio?
A:  It will be 1:1 faculty to resident ratio for the first 2 months of the CA-1 year then the ratio will be 1:2. This means that an anesthesiologist is covering 2 resident rooms. The ratio for cardiac cases is 1:1.

Q: Do you offer electives during the final year of residency training?
A: We offer a minimum of 3 electives in CA‐3 year with many unique opportunities ranging from research, transesophageal echocardiography, and additional subspecialty rotations of your choice.
 
Q: What fellowships are offered?
A: We are in the process of starting an adult cardiothoracic anesthesiology fellowship.

Q: What is a typical workday like for an anesthesiology resident?
A: Typical day during general operating room rotation starts around 06:30 AM with setting up the operating room and performing preoperative evaluation and obtaining informed consent of the first patient. At 7:15 AM the OR technician will take the patient to the OR. The staff will give you a 15- minute break in the morning, a 30-minute break for lunch, and a 15 minutes afternoon break. All residents will be relieved from clinical duties at approximately 16:30 PM if not on call.

Q: How often do residents work?
A: Residents work an average of 55-60 hours per week. This is a rotation-dependent.

Q: How much call will I take?
A: Call varies from the rotation to rotation. While on your OR anesthesiology rotations, you will take anywhere between 3-4 call shifts per month. Call shifts are 24-hour shifts.

Q: How much time do residents get for vacations and Meetings?
A: Residents receive 20 vacation days per year, in addition to 5 meeting days.

Q: Do you provide an Educational fund?
A: Yes.

Q: What does the resident educational fund cover?
A: Residents receive $1,500 per year from their CBY to CA-2years and $2,500 in their CA-3 year. Funds can be used towards books, question banks, USMLE Step 3, ABA basic and advanced exams, and other educational materials.

Q: Do residents have protected time for education?
A: Residents are given protected time to attend weekly lectures, PBLDs, Journal Clubs, and academic conferences.

Q: What is the cost of living in Stockton?
A: Stockton is one of the most affordable places to live in northern California. The median household income is $54,297 and the median home sale price is $299,800.